Poke in the Park
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>View discussions about this entry Country: United States
Organization: Nike, Inc
Sport - Running
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2005
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - Organize group runs through a wooded park on varied and undulating terrain (bark chips, pavement, bridges) to build self esteem in Middle to HS kids.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - This started a couple years ago as a small group and the group grew to regularly become 5-10 kids. We decide before the run which of the kids will set the pace and lead the group. The leader has the freedom to go anywhere in the wooded park - I follow closely to be sure no "wrong" turns are taken. The leader carries a baton (which the kids made), and the kids alternate the Leader role every 5 minutes. This way, every runner gets the opportunity to lead the pack and take the route of their choice. Much of this is spontaneous and the leader may also include skips or jumps that others have to follow. Sometimes the runs go 45 minutes or more. To emphasize running for fun, the kids dubbed these runs "Poke in the Park" (poke around in the park). This began as a summer activity and recently starts in the Spring during schoolday evenings.
What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change? - Most of the kids cannot drive an automobile so I have been taking them all in a family van. This limits the amount of people I can take at any one time.
Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - I have seen self esteem and confidence grow in the kids. Nearly all of them never thought they could run 3 miles or more, and to witness that discovery process is very encouraging. I have also heard from parents that they notice positive changes in their kids, and they encourage these runs to continue.
How do you plan to grow your innovation? - I have not taken steps to advertise these runs, so to date, this has grown by word of mouth and I expect to continue as such.
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - Build self esteem and confidence in young kids through the fun, spontaneous act of running, and the fellowship and teamwork of group running.
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries? - To build confidence and self esteem in all who join the runs. Nearly all of the participants do not participate in track or cross country so this has enabled "non-runners" to participate in the activity and have fun. The impact is revealed in the self-discovery process the kids go through in learning they can run several miles and enjoy doing it. The beneficiaries are the kids and indirectly, the parents.
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation? - The fruit of the Poke in the Park runs I have witnessed include: increased confidence, improved self-esteem, learning that commitment to an endeavor can bring good results, enhanced awareness of one's abilities, staying fit.
What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact? - My personal impact will be limited to a small group of runners because I alone can't escort a large number to the park and manage the running process and the safety of all.
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - I receive no financial support. The kids did buy and decorate matching t-shirts for these runs.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization. - Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff. This field has not been completed
What is the potential demand for your innovation? - There is great potential to reach many kids as this is an entry-level, fun-based running activity.
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - This field has not been completed
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - This began when I took my daughter on a run in the park as a way to spend time together. Soon, she brought a friend and the running group grew by word of mouth. At the end of each running activity there is much talk about the fun time we all enjoyed and the anticipation of the next time to get together.
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material. - I have been a distance runner since High School and am a long time Nike employee. I believe that a lifestyle that includes a fitness activity promotes both physical and mental well-being.
Contact Information:
Tim Lodwick
Senior Systems Engineer Nike, Inc (Sports and Fitness) Discussions about this entry |
I really like your project. I started cross country running when I was in high school. It's a powerful tool to help kids bond and remember the environment is there for them to play in. I only worry that for older kids/teens the title of your project might become somewhat of a joke (not that laughter does not help bring people together). Good luck!
Leora
Dear Tim
Thanks for telling us about your fun and innovative running project. It sounds like a lot of fun and integrates many lessons - as Steve says below - about leadership but also with the making the baton themselves, and making matching shirts - the idea of creating a community/group/team spirit. Congratulations.
I am wondering how you deal with a few challenges that we have with the boxgirls roadwork programme http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/2279 namely how in a small group do you deal with the different ages of the kids and the different speeds they want to run? Is there a wide age range?
What other skills do you see being developed in a mixed age group? What do the younger kids learn from older kids and vice versa?
Also, one of the criteria the changemakers contest is looking for is scalability or the ability to grow or reproduce the programme in other areas. From your project description it does not seem like this is your personal goal but could you say something about how your good example might be able to be used to encourage other active parents to do a similar project with their children and local schools. Could you also say something about the role of the parents of your runners...Do they take part? Would they help with driving if you were sick one day? Do they see themselves as part of the programme? How could you imagine involving them?
I think many of our projects started through individual initiative and energy and it is interesting to think about who could be our allies on the move to the next level of stability and programme growth.
It would be great to hear your ideas/answers to some of my questions.
All the best from Berlin
HC
Heather Cameron
Free University Berlin
University Challenge
Greetings Heather,
Thanks for your observations. So far the running group is only separated by 3 years in age and they are all good friends. We do a couple of things to keep the group of varying skill-levels together. First, we always start with a slow-to-moderate runner so that the beginning pace is held in check to allow for warming up and to allow the camraderie (conversations) to begin. Secondly, it is understood that the role of the leader is to set a pace that won't separate the group, so the leader ocassionally keeps an eye on the pack. A good leader encourages all. Also, the faster runners who may also compete in school, train at another time. These runs are meant to be easy jogs. I find that when running is fun, people continue to do it.
I like your thoughts on growth and sustainability. I have enjoyed keeping the group small and manageable but now am considering testing some ideas this Spring to try to grow the idea. I also appreciate your thought to get parents more involved. You've led to me to consider meeting with the Parks and Recreation officials to discuss the success we're finding in these runs and to consider getting their support in hosting group runs through their well-maintained trails.
Thanks again for your insights. Best wishes in your program as well.
Tim Lodwick
You, the young people, and the park truly make this form of running a cross-country experience, Tim. Your insistence on literally passing the baton to a new leader every five minutes also gives a new and positive twist to the old folllow-the-leader routine, but one in which everyone can serve as leader--with the attending privileges and responsibilities.
Congratulations on devising a way to make fitness and companionship running very enjoyable.
Steve Byars
Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California